Tbilisi-Moscow Talks In Prague Postponed Again

Georgia's special envoy on relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze

MOSCOW -- Talks between Georgia and Russia to discuss the possibility of high-level contacts between the two countries have been postponed for a second time.

The Georgian prime minister's envoy for relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin were to have met in Prague on March 4-5 before delaying the talks until March 14.

The Georgian prime minister's office said on March 12 that Abashidze and Karasin have now agreed to hold the meeting later this month on a date to be announced.

Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow after Russia recognized the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following a short war with Tbilisi in 2008.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in February that he would meet with his Georgian counterpart, Giorgi Margvelashvili, if the Georgian leader considers it necessary.

Margvelashvili said he would "thoroughly" consider Putin's remarks.

With reporting by civil.ge